Meanwhile, police and Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue team members searched rugged terrain in northern Escondido on Tuesday evening and yesterday for any sign of the 14-year-old girl who disappeared while walking to Escondido High School the morning of Feb. 13.

The reward is split into two segments. Fifty thousand dollars is offered for information leading to the girl's safe return while $10,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

“(The family) want to get Amber home alive, therefore the majority of money has been allocated to that end,” Klaas said at a news conference outside Escondido High School yesterday. “But they also understand that there might be darker scenarios and that that might not be possible.”

The reward money has been donated by individuals and businesses who prefer to remain anonymous, Klaas said.

The Dubois family asked Klaas and his KlaasKids Foundation for Children to help with the search for Amber. Klaas created the organization after his daughter, Polly, was kidnapped from her Northern California home and murdered in 1993.

“We feel we have a couple ideas that might help them to move this forward,” Klaas said of the investigation.

Escondido police Lt. Craig Carter said the department has received about 80 tips and each is being investigated.

About 50 people participated in the latest search after local teens told police about an area in northern Escondido known as “the caves” where youths sometimes go. Search coordinator Don Parker said nothing useful was found.

At the news conference, Maurice Dubois, Amber's father, was asked if he had any message.

“Amber, if you're hearing this just know that your family loves you, and we can't wait to have you back in our arms,” Dubois said. “We miss you immensely and we will do everything we possible can to have you home as soon as we possibly can.

“And if you're out there and you know anything regarding this, please help us get our daughter back.”